Something exciting is happening here in Nova Scotia. President’s Choice is bringing their no name® Naturally Imperfect™ product brand to Nova Scotia. Previously this brand was launched in Ontario and Quebec in March 2015 offering both Naturally Imperfect apples and potatoes for sale. Here in Nova Scotia we are starting with apples, but we should be on the lookout for more products to be added to the line by the end of the year.

“When it comes to produce, Canadians know that beauty is more than skin deep,” said Ian Gordon, senior vice president, Loblaw Brands, Loblaw Companies Limited. “Our customers recognize they get the same flavour and nutritional benefits in spite of appearances. The positive response to our initial offering of apples and potatoes in Ontario and Quebec demonstrated the opportunity to expand the no name® Naturally Imperfect™ line and offer more selection at a great price to more Canadian families.”

Produce included in the no name® Naturally Imperfect™ program was previously used in juices, sauces or soups, or may not have been harvested due to their small size. With this program, Loblaw Companies is working to ensure farmers have a market for smaller, misshapen fruit so that it does not go to waste.

I am thrilled at the launch of the new line, and as I mentioned on Snap Chat (follow me @suziconfesses) on the weekend, when I buy apples they almost always seem to be bruised so a few smaller or mis-shapened apples is just fine with me!. I didn’t find that the apples in the no name® Naturally Imperfect™ were any more banged up than usual. They were certainly a bit smaller than what you might be use to from grocery store apples, but having grown up with apple trees on our property I’m really not bothered by the smaller size. Not everything needs to be super sized.

And once made into a delicious recipe – like the Apple Cranberry Crisp, you won’t think these apples are Naturally Imperfect™, in fact they taste absolutely perfect!

Yield: 8

no name® Naturally Imperfect™ Apple Cranberry Crisp

Print

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Inactive Time 40 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

• no name® Naturally Imperfect™ Apple Cranberry Crisp
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (175) sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• ½ cup (125 mL) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) all-purpose flour
• 7-8 no name® Naturally Imperfect™ medium apples, peeled, cored and cut in 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick slices
• 2-1/2 tsp (32 mL) fresh lemon juice
• 1-1/4 cup (300 mL) PC Whole Frozen Cranberries, halved
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) cold unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

In bowl, combine 1 cup (250 mL) flour, almonds, 1/3 cup (75 mL) brown sugar and salt. With fingertips, crumble in ½ cup (125 mL) cold butter until the size of small peas. Chill.

Cut a slit lengthwise down centre of vanilla bean; with tip of knife scrape out seeds. In small bowl and using fingertips, mix seeds, 1/3 cup (75 mL) brown sugar and 2 tbsp (25 mL) flour.

In large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. Stir in cranberries. Add vanilla-sugar mixture and toss to coat. Spread into 13 x 9 inch (3 L) baking dish. Dot with 2 tbsp (25 mL) cold butter. Crumble almond mixture over top to cover.

Bake in centre of oven until fruit is tender and topping is golden, about 45 to 55 minutes.

[Tweet “You’ll never know this delicious Apple Cranberry Crisp was made using Naturally Imperfect apples @preschoice”]

So the next time you are out at the grocery store, keep your eyes peeled for the new no name® Naturally Imperfect™ label to find apples that still taste delicious but will save you a few dollars on your grocery bill.

#AllApplesMatter 😉

Disclosure: Recipe re-printed with permission from President’s Choice. This is a compensated post for President’s Choice, all opinions are entirely my own.